Midsummer Sisters (a Graphic Novel) - by Niki Smith

Book Synopsis

Kenzie and Quinn aren't just stepsisters -- they're best friends. They're spending the summer with their grandmother, kayaking in the marshy coastal islands she calls home. The Outer Banks are also home to a herd of wild ponies, and the girls fall in love with a fragile newborn foal that they name Starling.

But even blue skies and sandy beaches can't distract from what's going on back home. Things between their parents aren't the way they used to be, and the constant fights have left Kenzie and Quinn anxious and confused. They can't remember a time when they weren't a family. If their parents divorce and Quinn and her mom move away, will they even still be sisters . . . or will they be nothing?

As their world shifts around them, the girls swear to do the one thing they can: keep Starling safe.

Award-winning cartoonist Niki Smith delivers a stunning story set during a summer of change. Filled with gorgeous and expressive illustrations, Midsummer Sisters is a celebration of the beauty of wild horses, as powerful as the unbreakable bond between sisters.

Review Quotes

Praise for Midsummer Sisters:

"Niki Smith's expressive, bright cartooning and complex, compelling characters drive a deeply heartfelt story that's perfectly balanced between sorrow and sweetness." -- Carey Pietsch, cartoonist & co-adaptor on The Adventure Zone graphic novel series

"Heartbreaking and heartwarming, Midsummer Sisters is a beautiful story about the healing power of nature and the enduring strength of sisters." -- Megan Wagner Lloyd, bestselling co-creator of Squished

"A perfect summer read. Bubble tea, shark teeth, choppy waves, and wild horses: I could almost smell the ocean." -- Hope Larson, New York Times bestselling author

"A beautiful, tender, and emotional read. Niki masterfully ties together the joy of a fleeting summer and the growing anxiety about the difficulties that lie ahead. Midsummer Sisters is a gorgeous book, and I couldn't put it down." --Michelle Mee Nutter, bestselling co-creator of Squished

Praise for Sea Legs:

"Visually stunning with a boatload of heart." - Gabriela Epstein, New York Times bestselling author

"A sparkling, unforgettable journey that deftly navigates the thrills and complexities of friendship." - Gale Galligan, New York Times bestselling author

* "Inspired by the author's childhood at sea, this graphic novel, by two lifelong friends, is a visually and emotionally vibrant must-read." - Booklist, starred review

* "Filled with lively, touching, suspenseful vignettes . . . Authentic and engaging." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "This captivating story about stormy friendships and life at sea is a must-have." - School Library Journal, starred review

* "Smith gives each character a dazzling range of visible emotion through exaggerated features and body language in splashy art that bursts with color." - Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Buoyant . . . Vibrant artwork by Smith bursts with tropical colors . . . Together, the creators skillfully recreate the unique experience of living at sea, infusing the story with humor and intense emotion that invites readers to partake in a shared adventure." - Publishers Weekly

"This heartfelt graphic novel explores the uncharted waters of growing up, friendship, and self-discovery . . . Inventive panels that showcase handwritten letters, maps, and annotated sketches further immerse the reader in Janey's world." - Horn Book

About the Author

Niki Smith is the author and artist of the Lambda Literary Award-nominated graphic novel The Deep & Dark Blue. Her book The Golden Hour was a Kirkus, SLJ, and NYPL Best Book of 2021. When she's not drawing comics, she's collecting embroidery hoops and zines and learning to draw boats. Niki now lives in Munich, Germany with her wife and two bilingual cats.